A ballistic missile fired from Iran has struck Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar, the largest U.S. military base in the Middle East, the Qatari Ministry of Defence said on Tuesday.
The ministry said in a statement that the country had been targeted by two ballistic missiles launched from Iran.
“Air defense systems successfully intercepted one of the missiles, while the second missile struck Al-Udeid Qatari Base without causing any casualties.”
The ministry did not provide any information on the exact impact site of the missile or possible damage.
Al-Udeid, which is also used by Qatari and British forces, is located on the outskirts of Doha and serves as a critical hub for regional military coordination.
Also Read: Arab leaders deliver tough talk at Qatar summit
Iran had already attacked the base last year in retaliation for the U.S. bombing of Iranian nuclear facilities. The Iranian military said the latest strike was in response to joint U.S.-Israeli attacks carried out across Iran on Saturday.
Al-Udeid is one of the most important U.S. bases in the Middle East. According to reports, around 10,000 soldiers and civilian personnel are normally stationed there. The base functions as a forward operating headquarters for American forces across the region.
The headquarters of the U.S. regional command for the Middle East, United States Central Command, CENTCOM, is located in Tampa, Florida.
U.S. defence officials said force protection levels across American installations in the Gulf had been elevated following the strike, with additional surveillance and missile defence assets activated as a precautionary measure.
Regional observers noted that Qatar hosts one of Washington’s most strategic military partnerships in the Middle East, making any direct attack on its territory highly sensitive diplomatically and militarily.
There was no immediate confirmation of structural damage at the base, but satellite imagery and further assessments are expected to clarify the extent of the impact in the coming days.
Recall that tensions sharply escalated over the weekend after coordinated U.S.-Israeli strikes reportedly targeted military and nuclear-linked facilities inside Iran. Tehran had vowed retaliation, describing the attacks as a violation of its sovereignty and warning that American assets in the region would be considered legitimate targets.
The latest strike on Al-Udeid marks one of the most direct confrontations between Iran and U.S. forces in recent months, heightening fears of a wider regional conflict involving multiple state and non-state actors.
dpa/NAN
